Man in court for rape

A notorious youth Rapelang Gaofose (29) commonly known as Tsewa, from a small settlement named Moshaweng in Kweneng West this week appeared before Molepolole Senior Magistrate Lindiwe Makgoro for rape and assault charges.

Gaofose is said to have raped a 24-year-old woman from his settlement during the night of November, 19th, 2013 at a bar when the victim went to the toilet in the nearby bushes.

Gaofose is alleged to have pounced on the young woman and muffled her with his white t-shirt to stop her screams.

He then pulled her from the bar side and dragged her further into the bushes where he took a stick and assaulted her on the buttocks, hit her with fists and took out a knife to stab her head and then raped her.

“He undressed me and I fought back for a long time before he overpowered me and ended up having sex with me. He used about five condoms. After the rape he led me to the village walking behind me, he then slept under a tree and let me go home,” said the young woman in court.

According to the Medical Doctor at Letsholathebe Hospital, Pikono Kamba, when he checked the victim, she was anxious, dressed in dirty clothes, had bruises on the buttocks and her eyes were swollen.

The doctor said he did not see any evidence of penetration and further explained that it was however possible not to medically find evidence of penetration, especially when condoms have been used.

Gaofise denied having sex with the woman, arguing instead that she had agreed to accompany him to the bush in full view of bar patrons.

“Both the victim and my witness are my girlfriends and the bar was not closed when we left,” he said. The case continues on February 13th, 2018.